mbalax

• Kapka Kassabova's dance memoir Twelve Minutes of Love: A Tango Story Portobello, £18.99 is out in November Rose Skelton, journalist and specialist in west African music: Mbalax in Dakar The music pioneered by Senegalese superstar Youssou N'Dour is known as mbalax – a blend of traditional sabar, Cuban salsa and the soaring vocals of west African praise singers – and this high-energy, frenetic dance music is the beat of the street in Dakar today.

Insider's guide to musical pilgrimages: Country, soul, blues, folk, world music 2011

He burst onto the music scene in the 1970s with a genre of music known as mbalax — a hard-driving form of pop that draws on traditional Senegalese rhythms, Cuban music and jazz.

Putting Faith in His Music 2009

His shift away from the exciting polyrhythmic blend of African and Western pop known as mbalax began in 2002 with "Nothing's in Vain," which presented traditional Senegalese folk music.

Youssou N'Dour on CD and in Concert 2007

But by the 1980s, Senegalese audiences had turned to the percussion-based street music known as mbalax (made world famous by musicians like Youssou N'Dour).

Dakar's Superstars 2007

Madison (K1 Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop, +221 77 535 9997, madison-dakar.com) has wild mbalax performances that get going late (2am).

Insider's guide to musical pilgrimages: Country, soul, blues, folk, world music 2011

The music of singer-guitarist Yoro Ndiaye, whose debut U.S. tour reached the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage on Friday evening, has been called "Senegal folk'' and "acoustic mbalax.''

In concert: Yoro Ndiaye at Millennium Stage Mark Jenkins 2011

He is most popular for the mbalax beat, a traditional style that does not necessarily resonate with the under-25s who make up about two-thirds of Senegal's population.

Youssou N'Dour: the singer who changed his tune | Observer profile 2012

Gloriously gifted, N'Dour is the undisputed king of Senegalese music, mixing the country's traditional mbalax with everything from Cuban rumba to hip-hop, jazz and soul.

Youssou N'Dour: the singer who changed his tune | Observer profile 2012

One of the great Senegalese singers, Youssou N'dour, has an electrifying style that mixes traditional mbalax music and pop.

Morning music: Youssou N'dour sings everywhere Melissa Bell 2010

He may be based in Senegal, but his influences are not restricted to the mbalax of his mentor Youssou N'Dour.

Cheikh Lô: Jamm 2010